Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who came to the emergency department reporting chest pain. The provider suspects a myocardial infarction. While waiting for the laboratory to report the client's troponin levels, the client asks what this blood test will show. The nurse should explain that troponin is

• A. an enzyme that indicates damage to brain, heart, and skeletal muscle tissues.
• B. a protein whose levels reflect the risk for coronary artery disease.
• C. a heart muscle protein that appears in the bloodstream when there is damage to the heart.
• D. a protein that helps transport oxygen throughout the body.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is that troponin is a heart muscle protein that appears in the bloodstream when there is damage to the heart. Troponin is a specific marker for heart muscle damage, particularly seen in conditions like myocardial infarction. Choice A is incorrect as troponin is not an enzyme that indicates damage to brain and skeletal muscle tissues. Choice B is incorrect as troponin is not a protein whose levels reflect the risk for coronary artery disease; it indicates heart muscle damage. Choice D is incorrect as troponin is not a protein that helps transport oxygen throughout the body; its presence in the bloodstream is specific to heart muscle damage.

2. A client who is HIV-positive, has pneumonia and is not responding to antibiotic therapy may have active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) due to exposure history and symptoms of night sweats and hemoptysis. Which test is the most reliable to confirm the diagnosis of active pulmonary TB?

• A. Chest x-ray
• B. Presence of bronchophony
• C. Mantoux test
• D. Sputum culture for acid-fast bacillus

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Sputum culture for acid-fast bacillus. The most reliable test to confirm the diagnosis of active pulmonary TB is the sputum culture for acid-fast bacillus. This test helps identify the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, in the sputum. Chest x-rays can show characteristic findings of TB but are not as reliable as sputum cultures for confirmation. Bronchophony is a test for assessing vocal resonance and is not specific for TB diagnosis. The Mantoux test is a screening test for TB exposure but cannot confirm active disease.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who has active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The client is on airborne precautions and is being treated with multidrug therapy. A chest x-ray is scheduled for the client. Which of the following is not a precaution the nurse should take to safely transport the client to x-ray?

• A. Ask the x-ray technician to come to the client's room to perform a portable x-ray.
• B. Have the client wear a mask.
• C. Notify the x-ray department that the client is on airborne precautions.
• D. Wear a filtration mask and gloves for protection against the client's microorganisms.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to ask the x-ray technician to come to the client's room to perform a portable x-ray. This option minimizes the risk of exposing other individuals to the client's infectious microorganisms during transport. Having the client wear a mask (Choice B) and notifying the x-ray department about airborne precautions (Choice C) are crucial precautions to prevent the spread of infection. Additionally, wearing a filtration mask and gloves (Choice D) is essential for the nurse's protection when in direct contact with the client, but it is not directly related to transporting the client to the x-ray department.

4. When caring for a client with COPD, which intervention should the nurse include in the care plan?

• A. Restrict the client's fluid intake to less than 2 L/day.
• B. Encourage the client to use the upper chest for respiration.
• C. Have the client use the early-morning hours for exercise and activity.
• D. Instruct the client to use pursed-lip breathing.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to use pursed-lip breathing. This technique helps improve breathing efficiency by keeping the airways open during exhalation and reducing air trapping. Restricting fluid intake to less than 2 L/day is not appropriate for a client with COPD, as they need adequate hydration. Using the upper chest for respiration is incorrect as it promotes shallow breathing, which is not ideal for COPD patients. While exercise is beneficial, early-morning hours may not be the best time for clients with COPD due to increased respiratory distress in the morning.

5. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD expresses difficulty in bringing up bronchial secretions. Which action should the nurse take to help the client with tenacious bronchial secretions?

• A. Maintaining a semi-Fowler's position as much as possible
• B. Administering oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L per min
• C. Helping the client select a low-salt diet
• D. Encouraging the client to drink eight glasses of water daily

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Encouraging the client to drink eight glasses of water daily is the most appropriate action to help with tenacious bronchial secretions in COPD. Increased fluid intake can help in thinning the mucus, making it easier for the client to cough up and clear secretions. This addresses the client's difficulty in bringing up bronchial secretions. Maintaining a semi-Fowler's position can aid in breathing but does not directly address the issue of clearing secretions. Administering oxygen may be necessary for COPD, but it does not specifically target the tenacious secretions. Selecting a low-salt diet can be helpful in managing COPD in general, but it does not directly address the client's current concern of clearing bronchial secretions.

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